Free Santa's grotto coming to Newhaven in run up to Christmas

Newhaven Town Council and A&N Event have built a completely bespoke grotto, using film set effects, props and backdrops to transform A&N’s showroom into the snowy home of Father Christmas.

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This free community event will give children and families the chance to meet Santa, take photos in the grotto’s sleigh and enjoy the festive surroundings.

A spokesman for A&N said: “I feel visiting Father Christmas is a very important part of Christmas and unfortunately, with the rise of the cost of living and people relying on food banks etc, many children would miss out.

“After months of planning, the proposal to run a free grotto was put forward, it’s now believed to be the only completely free professional Santa’s grotto in the UK! Something we are very proud to be bringing to Newhaven.”

Organisers say the grotto has been extremely well received and with sponsors and charitable donations assisting with the costs involved in this huge undertaking, the grotto is set to become a major talking point and well-loved addition over the coming years.

The spokesman added: “Everyone is getting behind it. Newhaven Chamber of Commerce have just kindly donated £500 to put towards replying to the many letters we are expecting, and The House project in Peacehaven have donated £1,000 for the children’s gifts.

“It really is going to be an amazing experience”

The grotto opened for four hours during the cancelled Newhaven Christmas Shopping event, and had over two hundred visitors though the doors, which amazed the organisers considering the weather.

They said the feedback received so far has been extremely positive with families able to spend time playing with the snow and snow balls, rather than just queuing quietly.

Santa @ Newhaven High Street can be found on Facebook and will run from December 1 until December 23.